Severe Lack of Docks

Any particular reason the Asus line is pretty devoid of docks?

Specifically the W3J, but it seems pretty spartan accross the board.

 

PortBarIII is the ASUS docking system...
Z61Ae and Z93E have it, and will be on the upcoming Z62J, Z62F, and Z96F.
ASUS Ensemble models will not have it... except one model that may show up April/May.
More info upon request [e-mail me].

 

I'd like to add my voice to the call for better docking support. While I will be using my notebook primarily on the road or at sea or in strange places, it would be nice to have a comfortable perfect setup at home (once I have a home).

 

Me too. I think this is an area in which Asus could improve.

 

Ya, I agree guys.
They're slowly getting more models with PortBarIII support.

 

Now all we need is to get asus to put DVI ports on their laptops.

 

Um, that's happening with the upcoming models...
Check out specs here:

W5F Specs
ETA:Early March
C9 Price: $1795 [available for pre-order]

V6J Specs
ETA: Early March
C9 Price: $1895 [available for pre-order]

A7J Specs
ETA: Early March
C9 Price: $1695 [available for pre-order]

A6Jc Specs
ETA: Late March / Early April
C9 Price: $1295

The other two Core Duo Ensembles [ W2J and W3J] are expected late March.

W2J: C9 Price - $2595
W3J: C9 Price - $1795

The BTO Z62F Notebook is to be expected very soon [this week / next week]
The Z62J will follow a few weeks later.
The next in line to come over is the Z35F [NO ETA].
Any other BTO ETA is garbage.

 

Yeah but its on their cheap notebooks not the nice ones.

 

You mean not as pretty?
They're still sexy notebooks.

 

They are good machines. I still do find it dumb that they left out the dvi port on my W2V

 

Ya, that I don't get....

 

So I'd guess that they have to build the machine specifically to match the PortBar interface, which means that machines that don't currently support it are unlikely to ever have docking capability? Because they would have to make a different version for each different configuration (many)? Am I right about that? Basically, if it doesn't support it now, it probably won't ever, until they release a new model type specifically designed to fit?

 

You're pretty much on the right track there...
For example, any Ensemble model now [W2/3/5, V6, etc..] will not support port bar due to the battery design.
Some new models [very few], will have portbar support.

 

a universal docking solution isn't that hard and doesn't really need a big redesign I don't think

you can use the PC Card slot ....

Here is one that add DVI to a notebook, supposedly at resolutions up to 1920:

http://www.villagetronic.com/e_pr_vtbook.html

don't know why you could not use the PC CARD as the docking interface for the protbar - and then put the DVI video "guts, along with a USB hub into the port bar - that way the same portbar works on every notebook with PC CARD slot

the lack of a docking option - especially for their most popular units - will keep Asus from being anything other than a niche product - as I've noted elsewehere with notebooks surpassing desktops in sales - and with notebooks becoming desktop relacements - the lack of a simple docking option is critical

 

The main reason ASUS does not add PortBar to more notebooks: the majority doesn't neeed.
Most people use their notebooks as their main PC, and this trend is only growing.

For the rest of you that want it... you're making this too complicated.
Get a USB hub, or as the user above mentioned, a universal docking station.
Even if you just plug everything in to notebook... it's not that much harder.

 

sorry c9 - but I think yu are wrong

there is a reason that almost every major manufacturer offers docking stations (not just "port bars") - and often in a "basic" and an enhanced version - for the majority of their lines

It is because once you get to the people who use their notebooks for other than games (ie: for work ) - there is an absolute need for docking

you are right that most people are using them as their "main pc" - to replace their desktops - but instead of meaning we don't need the docking ability that actually reinforces it - if we are using to replace our desktop means we need to be able to easily/simply have keyboard, mouse, printers, network, audio and most importantly an external monitor ability

you are also right that most of those will work through a simple universal "generic" docking bar like targus offers - the problem is that none of those have video - or at least usable video - on them - and video - an external hi res monitor - is crucial

video and power are two connections that a universal port cannot accomodate - so at minimum you have 3 connections

Many days my Sony z1 is in and out of the docking port a half dozen or more times - think about it - out of dock at home in AM, into dock when get to work - in and out of dock to go to a couple meetings during day - out of dock at nite when you leave work - and back into dock at home again

the Targus bar only does 1024x768 and even that is horrible - many people return it who try it is so bad even making three connections - power, video, and a USB hub - in and out a half dozen times a day just does not work

again there is a reason all the big guys make all those docking bases - and one of them is that they are also I imagine profitable

again - I think a PC Card based docking product - with decent DVI video, a USB hub, audio etc would be realtively easy to do - as shown by the DVI PC CARD above and the one below

now for the hard core gamers for whom money is no object - here is a docking station

http://www.digitaltigers.com/sidecar-fxelite.shtml

 

I'd agree with ASG here. I do intend to use my notebook as my primary (read: only) computer, but I would really like a docking solution so that when I go to the place I use it most often (home, when I have one) I can just drop in and go. Each individual time its just a few extra seconds of plugging in Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, USB components. But added up over the lifetime of using the machine in the same location, its just a lot of added convenience, which I would pay to have. Certainly I can get by without it. But it would be nice to have the option.